Lid Holder

ABSTRACT

A lid holder for holding a lid above a pot or cylindrical vessel is herein disclosed. The lid holder includes lid support, which includes a central body, and one or more support arms extending from the central body. The lid support further includes a lid stop, on which an edge of the lid rests. The lid holder can further include a band to hold the lid support to the pot or cylindrical vessel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 61/453,291, filed Mar. 16, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lid holder, and more specifically to a lid holder that suspends a lid above a slow cooker, cooking pot, or other cylindrical, circular, elliptical, or rectangular container or other vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many circumstances it is desirable to use a lid or cover in conjunction with a cylindrical vessel. One such circumstance involves cooking or heating of food within a pot or slow cooker. In some instances, the inside of the lid may be coated with condensed water, food particulates, or other matter, which emanated from the food or other contents of the vessel, for example during heating or cooking. Advantageously, the lid is removable to permit access to the contents of the pot or slow cooker. Upon removing the lid, the condensed water or other matter may begin to flow or run off of the lid onto whatever object is positioned below the lid.

Slow cookers are commonly used in potlucks, buffet lines, or other familial gatherings. In these instances, a user may be dishing food out of a slow cooker or pot onto a plate, holding the plate with one hand and dishing food out of the slow cooker with the other. Consequently, both of the user's hands are occupied. The user is invariably confronted with a problem when reaching a pot with a lid covering the contents of the pot. The user can try to set his or her plate down, freeing one hand, remove the lid and set it aside, dish food out of the pot and onto his or her plate, then replace the lid. This is problematic, however, because typically there is insufficient space to set the lid aside. Alternatively, the user can ask his or her neighbor to hold the lid while they dish food out of the pot.

In light of the foregoing problems associated with pots and their removable lids, there remains a need for a lid holder that alleviates or eliminates these problems.

All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a lid holder for supporting a lid above a pot. In some embodiments, the lid holder comprises a lid support and the lid support comprises a central body. The lid holder further comprises a pot facing side and a side opposite the pot facing side. Further, in some embodiments, the lid holder further comprises at least one lid support arm extending from the central body. The at least one lid support arm has a base, a distal end, and a supporting surface. The supporting surface is located at the distal end of the at least one support arm. In some embodiments, the lid holder further comprises a lid stop protruding from the central body. The lid stop has an undersurface that is configured to contact an opposite side of the lid than the supporting surface of the at least one lid support arm.

In some embodiments, the central body comprises a pot rim support.

In some embodiments, the pot rim support comprises an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter. The inner perimeter defines an opening therethrough.

In some embodiments, the lid holder further comprises a flange extending from the central body.

In some embodiments, the lid holder further comprises a band. The band is disposed over flange and contacts the side of the flange opposite the pot contacting side.

In some embodiments, the lid holder comprises an elastomeric material disposed on at least a portion of the flange.

In some embodiments, the lid stop has an attached end and a free end. In some embodiments, the undersurface is a concave surface and the attached end is attached to the central body adjacent to the base of the at least one lid support arm.

In some embodiments, the at least one lid support arm consists of two support arms and the lid stop angularly bisects the two support arms.

In some embodiments, the lid holder further comprises an elastomeric material disposed at the distal end of the at least one lid support arm. In some embodiments, the elastomeric material defines the supporting surface.

In some embodiments, the at least one lid support arm projects from the central body at an acute angle, α.

In some embodiments, the angle α is between 10° and 60° and, in some embodiments, between 30° and 60°.

In some embodiments, the lid support arm comprises a bent portion.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a lid holder for use in conjunction with a container. In some embodiments, the lid holder and container comprise a container having a base, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and a rim. The base and the at least one sidewall define a hollow opening of the container. Further, the lid holder comprises a central body having a container rim support, a container facing side, a side opposite the container facing side, and at least one support arm. In some embodiments, the at least one lid support arm extends upwardly from the central body over the hollow opening of the container. The at least one lid support arm has a base and a distal end, a bent portion, and a supporting surface. Further, the supporting surface is located at the distal end of the support arm. In some embodiments, the lid stop protrudes from the central body. The lid stop has an undersurface and the undersurface is configured to contract an opposite side of the lid than the supporting surface of the at least one lid support arms.

In some embodiments, the lid holder further comprises a plurality of lid support arms. Each lid support arm extends upwardly from the central body over the hollow opening of the pot and has a base and a distal end, a bent portion, and a supporting surface. The supporting surface is located at the distal end of the support arms.

In some embodiments, the container is a slow cooker.

In some embodiments, the lid holder further comprises a flange having a flared end. The flange extends from the central body and the flared end extends away from the container facing side. In some embodiments, the container rim support has a recessed surface and the recessed surface contacts a portion of the container rim.

In some embodiments, the lid holder is secured to the container via a band. The band is attached to the flange and disposed around the container.

In some embodiments, the band comprises an elastomeric material.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a kit comprising a lid holder and a pot.

In some embodiments, the kit comprises instructions for disposing the lid holder on the pot.

In some embodiments, the kit is assembled according to the instructions and the pot holder is placed at least partially over an opening in the pot.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a lid holder for supporting a lid above a pot. In some embodiments, the lid holder comprises a lid support, a pot facing side and a side opposite the pot facing side, at least one lid support arm, a flange, and a lid stop. In some embodiments, the lid support comprises a central body and the central body has a pot rim support. The pot rim support has a recessed surface. In some embodiments, the at least one lid support arm extends from the central body. The at least one lid support arm has a base, a distal end, a bent portion, and a supporting surface. The supporting surface is located at the distal end of the at least one support arm. In some embodiments, the flange has a flared end. The flange extends from the central body and the flared end extends away from the pot facing side. In some embodiments, the lid stop protrudes from the central body. The lid stop has an undersurface, and the undersurface is configured to contact an opposite side of the lid than the supporting surface of the at least one lid support arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of a lid holder in conjunction with a pot.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a lid support in accordance with the embodiment of the lid holder of FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 5-9 show plan views of the embodiment of the lid support shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the lid holder wherein a portion of the lid holder is routed through a slot in the band 54.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the lid holder wherein the lid holder is attached to the pot via a receiver.

FIG. 12 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the lid holder.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show additional views of the embodiment of the lid holder of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the attached figures, in some embodiments, a lid holder 10 for supporting a lid 6 above a pot 4 comprises a lid support 8. The lid support 8 comprises a central body 12. The central body 12 has a pot rim support 18 (FIG. 5), and the pot rim support 18 has a recessed surface 20. The lid holder 10 further comprises a pot facing side and a side opposite the pot facing side, and at least one lid support arm 14 extending from the central body 12. The at least one lid support arm 14 has a base 41 and a distal end 40, a bent portion 44, and a supporting surface, the supporting surface located at the distal end 40 of the at least one support arm 14. In some embodiments, the lid holder 10 further comprises a flange 19 having a flared end 30. The flange 19 extends from the central body 12 and the flared end 30 extends away from the pot facing side. The lid holder 10 further comprises a lid stop 16 protruding from the central body 12. The lid stop 16 has an undersurface 52, that is configured to contact an opposite side of the lid 6 than the supporting surface of the at least one lid support arm 14.

In some embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 1, a lid holder 10 is attached to a pot 4. In some embodiments, the lid holder 10 comprises a lid support 8. In some embodiments, the lid support 8 comprises a central body 12 and at least one and, desirably, a plurality of lid support arms 14 extending from the central body 12. In some embodiments, the lid support 8 has two lid support arms 14. The lid support 8 further comprises a lid stop 16. In some embodiments, the lid stop 16 protrudes from the central body 12.

In at least one embodiment, the lid support 8 is positioned over the pot 4 so that any condensation or other matter disposed on the undersurface of the pot lid 6 falls into the pot 4. In this way, in some embodiments, the lid support arms 14 extend upwardly and away from the central body 12 to position the lid 6 above the opening in the pot 4.

In some embodiments, the central body 12 comprises a pot rim support 18. The pot rim support 18 abuts the rim 21 when the lid holder is attached to the pot 4. Further, in some embodiments, the central body 12 has a flange 19 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, the flange 19 comprises a straight segment 28 and a flared end 30. In some embodiments, the flared end 30 extends from the straight segment 28 and bends away from the pot side of the lid support 8. The bend can be angled or curved. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the flared end 30 curves toward the pot side of the lid support 8. In some embodiments, the flared end is longer than the straight segment 28 from which it extends.

In some embodiments, the pot rim support 18 comprises a recessed surface 20 which contacts a portion or portions of the rim 21. For example, in some embodiments, the recessed surface 20 sits or rests on a portion of the rim 21, for example a horizontal surface 23 of the rim 21. In some embodiments, a hole 22 is provided through the pot rim support 18. In some embodiments, the hole 22 is defined by an inner perimeter 24 of the pot rim support 18. In some embodiments, when the lid support 8 is attached to the pot 4, the pot rim 21 extends at least partially into the hole 22 and the pot rim 21 contacts the rim support 18 along the areas designated generally by 29 a and 29 b. In some embodiments, however, the pot rim 21 does not contact the rim support 18 or extend into the hole 22. Alternatively, the pot rim 21 contacts the rim support 18 but does not extend into the hole 22; alternatively still, in some embodiments, the pot rim 21 extends into the hole 22 but does not contact the rim support 18. In some embodiments, the pot rim 21 contacts the rim support 18 when the diameter of the pot rim is sufficiently large. Also, in some embodiments, the pot rim 21 contacts the rim support 18 when there is a difference in diameter between the pot rim 21 and the body of the pot.

The pot rim support 18 further comprises an outer perimeter 26. In some embodiments, the outer perimeter 26 has an oval shape. In some embodiments, the inner perimeter 24 has an oval shape. In some embodiments, either or both of the inner perimeter 24 and outer perimeter 26 has an elliptical shape, oblong shape, or any other suitable shape.

In some embodiments, the lid support 8 has a central axis 32. In addition, in some embodiments, each of the support arms comprises a support arm axis 34. In some embodiments, each of the support arm axes 34 is offset from the central axis 32, when viewed in the −y direction, by an angle δ. In some embodiments, angle δ is 20°-75°, and in some embodiments angle δ is 40°. When viewed in the −x direction, the support arm axes are offset relative to the central axis 32 by an angle α. In some embodiments, angle α is 10°-60°, in some embodiments 30°-60°, and in some embodiments 45°.

Still viewing the lid support 8 in the −x direction, for example as shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the lid support 8 has a lid support projection line 36, which is defined as extending from the base 38 of the lid stop 16 to the distal most end 40 of the respective support arm 14. Further, the lid support projection line 36 is offset from the central axis 32 by a lid support projection angle β. In some embodiments, the lid support projection angle β is 10°-60°, in some embodiments, 20°-40°, and in some embodiments 30°. Also, in some embodiments, the distal most end 40 of the respective support arm 14 defines a supporting surface on which the lid 6 rests. As shown for example in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the lid stop 16 angularly bisects the two support arms 14.

With additional regard to the support arms 14, in some embodiments, the support arms 14 comprise a first straight portion 42 extending from the central body 12, a bent portion 44 extending from the first straight portion 42, and a second straight portion 46 extending from the bent portion 44. The first straight portions 42 extend from the support arm base 41. In some embodiments, the bent portion 44 is bent at a right angle. Other angles can also be used; for example, in some embodiments, the angle between the first straight portion 42 and the second straight 46 portion is 75°-105°.

In addition, in some embodiments, the support arms 14 are straight—they do not have a bent portion 44. In this instance, it will be appreciated that angle β is equal to angle α.

In some embodiments, the support arms 14 are manufactured by cutting a single piece of wire or rod into a desired length. Then, in some embodiments, the wire or rod is bent at the support arms base 41 and at each of the bent portions 44. Subsequently, the bent wire or rod is welded, adhered, or otherwise attached to the central body 12. In some embodiments, the lid stop 16 is added, for example by welding. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the lid support 8 is cast as a single piece of material. In some embodiments, the lid holder 10 comprises a molded polymer. In some embodiments, the molded polymer contains a composite material; for example, in some embodiments, the polymer is filled with fibers or particulates. Other manufacturing methods can also be employed, including, but not limited to, some combination of casting, welding, gluing, attaching with fasteners, molding, or any other suitable method.

In some embodiments, the second straight portion 46 of the support arm 14 comprises a chamfer 48 at the end of the second straight portion 46. In addition, in some embodiments, the second straight portion 46 has an elastomeric material 50, for example, a rubber, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, or other soft material, at the end of the second straight portion 46 to prevent the lid 6 from sliding relative to the lid support 8. Also, in some embodiments, the lid stop 16 comprises an elastomeric material 50 over at least a portion of the lid stop 16. The elastomeric material 50 can cover the entirety of the lid stop 16, or, for example, just the surface(s) of the lid stop 16 that contacts the lid 6. For example, in some embodiments, the elastomeric material 50 is placed on only the undersurface 52 of the lid stop 16. Other suitable arrangements can also be employed.

Also, in some embodiments, the pot rim support 18 and recessed surface 20 comprise an elastomeric material 50 over at least a portion of the surface or surfaces that contract the pot rim 21, for example the horizontal surface 23 of the pot rim 21. In some embodiments, the hole 22 is defined by an inner perimeter 24 of the pot rim support, and in some embodiments, a portion or surface of the inner perimeter 24 comprises an elastomeric material 50 for increased friction and contact area between the pot rim 21 and the lid support 8.

In some embodiments, an elastomeric material is disposed over at least a portion of the flange 19. In some embodiments, the elastomeric material covers the entirety of the flange 19. The flange 19 can also have elastomeric material disposed on only a portion thereof. In some embodiments, for example, the flange 19 has elastomeric material on the surface(s) of the flange 19 that contact the pot 4. In some embodiments, the elastomeric material on the flange 19 prevents the lid support 8 from sliding relative to the pot 4.

It will be appreciated that the elastomeric material 50 on the various components or portions of the lid support 8 can be the same material throughout. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the specific material can be different depending upon its location and function. For example, the elastomeric material 50 used on the lid stop 16 may comprise a material different than the material used on the second straight portion 46.

In some embodiments, the lid holder 10 further comprises a band 54. In some embodiments, the band 54 fastens the lid support 8 to the pot 4. In some embodiments, the band 54 comprises an elastomeric material that tightly holds the lid support 8 to the pot 4. In some embodiments, the band 54 is disposed over the flange 19, such that the band contacts the side of the flange 19 opposite the side of the lid support 8 that contacts the pot 4. In some embodiments, however, the band 54 is disposed between the flange 19 and the pot 4. In this regard, in some embodiments, the flange 19 comprises a hook, loop, or plurality of flanges that is attached to the band 54. In addition, the flange 19 can have a different orientation or configuration than that shown in the figures.

In some embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 10, the band 54 is disposed over the flange 19, such that a portion of the band 54 contacts the side of the flange 19 opposite the side of the lid support 8 that contacts the pot 4 and a portion of the band 54 is disposed between the flange 19 and the pot 4. This occurs, for example, where the band 54 has a hole or slot 60 for the flange 19 to fit through.

In addition to the foregoing, for example as shown in FIG. 11, in some embodiments, the lid support 8 is used without a band. For example, in some embodiments, the lid support 8 is fastened to a receiver 62 on the pot 4. In this way, in some embodiments, the lid support 8 does not include a flange. Instead, in some embodiments, the straight segment 28 is lengthened to fit into a receiver or other receptacle in the pot 4. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the pot 4 includes a protrusion and the lid support 8 comprises a receiver to accept the protrusion.

In some embodiments, the flange 19 of the lid support 8 has suction cups affixed thereto. The suction cups can be used to releasably attach the lid support 8 to the pot 4. In some embodiments, the flange 19 comprises magnets which can be integral with the flange 19 or can be attached thereto. The magnets can releasably attach the lid support 8 to the pot. Further, in some embodiments, adhesive is used to affix the lid support 8 to the pot 4. In some embodiments, the flange 19 and pot 4 have a semi-permanent attachment, such as a hook and loop structure, wherein either the hook or loop is attached to the flange 19 and the other of the hook or loop is attached to the pot 4. In addition to the foregoing, other methods of attachment are also possible. Finally, in some embodiments, the band 54 is rigidly attached to the lid support 8 in a manner not intended for disassembly. In other words, in some embodiments, the band 54 is permanently attached to the lid support 8.

In some embodiments, the flange 19 extends sufficiently to rest on a horizontal surface, for example a table, such that the lid support 8 stands upright without the presence of a pot 4. In this way, the flange 19 can include a support structure on which the lid support 8 rests. Additionally, the pot 4, or any suitable object of sufficient weight, can rest on the support structure to provide additional stability for the lid support 8.

In some embodiments, the lid stop 16 has an attached end 56 and a free end 58. The attached end 56 of the lid stop 16 is attached to the central body 12 between the lid support arms 14. In some embodiments, the attached end 56 of the lid stop 16 is attached to the support arms 14, which are in turn attached to the central body 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the lid stop 16 has a concave undersurface 52 and a concave outersurface 53, for example as viewed from underneath the lid stop 16, looking upwardly at the lid stop 16 from inside the pot 4. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the lid stop 16 has a concave undersurface 52 and a convex outersurface 53 as viewed from underneath the lid stop 16, looking upwardly at the lid stop 16 from inside the pot 4. In some embodiments, the undersurface 52 of the lid stop 16 contacts a portion of the outer surface, or top, of the lid 6. In some embodiments, the lid stop is configured such that an edge of the lid rests on the undersurface 52 of the lid stop 16.

Turning to FIGS. 12 and 13, in some embodiments, the lid support 8 comprises a flange 19 that is relatively long and extends from the central body 12. A relatively long flange 19 can, in some embodiments, distribute load over a greater length and, in particular, counteract a moment placed on the lid support 8 by the lid 6. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the central body 12 comprises a portion that flares outwardly at the lateral ends 31 a, 31 b. Further, in some embodiments, the central body 12 is configured such that it does not come into contact with the pot 4 or pot rim 21. In this way, the flange 19 will fully support the lid support 8.

In addition to the foregoing, in some embodiments, the lid support 8 has a single lid support arm 14 that extends from the central body 12. In this way, in some embodiments, the single lid support arm 14 is narrow at its base 41 and wide at its distal end 40. In some embodiments, for example where a single lid support arm 14 is used, the single lid support arm 14 has a generally triangular shape.

Further, in some embodiments, the lid support arm (or arms) 14 is connected to the central body 12 along the length of the first straight portion 42. In this way, in some embodiments, the support arm (or arms) 14 overhangs both sides of the central body 12. Such a design is employed, in some embodiments, to reduce or eliminate the moment on the central body 12, as the center of mass of the lid 6 is located over (or at least closer to) the central body 12.

In some embodiments, the lid support 8 comprises a plurality of lid stops 16, for example, two lid stops that are side-by-side.

In some embodiments, lid holder 10 is sold as a kit or in conjunction with a band 54, pot 4, and/or instructions detailing the assembly of the lid holder 10 and the pot 4, and/or band 54.

Although particular features are shown or described with respect to particular embodiments disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that these features can be combined with the features or substituted for the features of other embodiments. For example, certain features shown with respect to FIG. 4 can be incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 12. Likewise, and further by way of example, it will be appreciated that certain features shown with respect to FIG. 12 can be incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 4. For example, the longer flange 19 of FIG. 12 can be substituted for the shorter flange 19 of FIG. 4 or vice-versa. Further, the flaring lateral ends 31 a, 31 b of the embodiment of FIG. 12 can be incorporated into the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The skilled artisan will appreciate that other substitutions and combinations can be made.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. 

1. A lid holder for supporting a lid above a pot, the lid holder comprising: a lid support, the lid support comprising a central body; a pot facing side and a side opposite the pot facing side; at least one lid support arm extending from the central body, the at least one lid support arm having a base, a distal end, and a supporting surface, the supporting surface located at the distal end of the at least one support arm; and a lid stop protruding from the central body, the lid stop having an undersurface, the undersurface of the lid stop configured to contact an opposite side of the lid than the supporting surface of the at least one lid support arm.
 2. The lid holder of claim 1, wherein the central body comprises a pot rim support.
 3. The lid holder of claim 2, wherein the pot rim support comprises an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter defining an opening therethrough.
 4. The lid holder of claim 1 further comprising a flange, the flange extending from the central body.
 5. The lid holder of claim 4 further comprising a band, the band disposed over the flange, the band contacting the side opposite the pot facing side.
 6. The lid holder of claim 4 further comprising an elastomeric material disposed on at least a portion of the flange.
 7. The lid holder of claim 1, wherein the lid stop has an attached end and a free end, the undersurface being a concave surface, the attached end being attached to the central body adjacent to the base of the at least one lid support arm.
 8. The lid holder of claim 7, wherein the at least one lid support arm consists of two support arms and the lid stop angularly bisects the two support arms.
 9. The lid holder of claim 1 further comprising elastomeric material disposed at the distal end of the at least one lid support arm, the elastomeric material defining the supporting surface.
 10. The lid holder of claim 1, wherein the at least one lid support arm projects from the central body portion at an acute angle, α.
 11. The lid holder of claim 11, wherein α is between 30° and 60°
 12. The lid holder of claim 1, wherein the lid support arm comprises a bent portion.
 13. A kit comprising the pot lid holder of claim 1 and a pot.
 14. A kit comprising the pot lid holder of claim 1 and instructions for disposing the pot lid holder on a pot.
 15. The kit of claim 14, wherein, when the kit is assembled according to the instructions, the pot lid holder is placed at least partially over an opening in the pot.
 16. A container lid holder and container comprising: a container having a base, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and a rim, the base and the at least one sidewall defining a hollow opening of the container; and a container lid holder, the container lid holder comprising: a central body having a container rim support; a container facing side and a side opposite the container facing side; at least one lid support arm extending upwardly from the central body over the hollow opening of the container, the at least one lid support arm having a base and a distal end, a bent portion, and a supporting surface, the supporting surface located at the distal end of the support arm; and a lid stop protruding from the central body, the lid stop having an undersurface, the undersurface of the lid stop configured to contact an opposite side of the lid than the supporting surface of the at least one lid support arm.
 17. The container lid holder and container of claim 16 further comprising: a plurality of said lid support arms, each lid support arm extending upwardly from the central body over the hollow opening of the pot and having a base and a distal end, a bent portion, and a supporting surface, the supporting surface located at the distal end of the support arms.
 18. The container lid holder and container of claim 16, wherein the container lid holder further comprises a flange having a flared end, the flange extending from the central body and the flared end extending away from the container facing side, and the container rim support has a recessed surface, the recessed surface contacting a portion of the container rim.
 19. The container lid holder and container of claim 18 wherein the container lid holder is secured to the container via a band, the band attached to the flange and disposed around the container.
 20. The container lid holder and container of claim 19, wherein the band comprises an elastomeric material.
 21. A lid holder for supporting a lid above a pot, the lid holder comprising: a lid support, the lid support comprising a central body, the central body having a pot rim support, the pot rim support having a recessed surface; a pot facing side and a side opposite the pot facing side; at least one lid support arm extending from the central body, the at least one lid support arm having a base and a distal end, a bent portion, and a supporting surface, the supporting surface located at the distal end of the at least one support arm; a flange having a flared end, the flange extending from the central body and the flared end extending away from the pot facing side; and a lid stop protruding from the central body, the lid stop having an undersurface, the undersurface of the lid stop configured to contact an opposite side of the lid than the supporting surface of the at least one lid support arm. 